News of: Thursday, 30th of July, 2009

Front Page

In a major development towards implementation of the Chittagong Hill Tracts Peace Accord 1997, the government has decided to withdraw one brigade of troops and 35 temporary security camps from CHT areas by this September.

Half-centuries from Shakib Al Hasan and Mohammad Ashraful trumped a maiden one-day international hundred from Travis Dowlin, and inspired Bangladesh to a three-wicket victory over West Indies in the second ODI on Tuesday to take an unbeatable 2-0 lead in the series.

The government-formed probe committee has found presence of poisonous Diethylene Glycol in the paracetamol syrup of one pharmaceutical company after examining 300 samples of paracetamol and vitamin syrup of 10 companies.

The country's deputy commissioners (DCs) allege that a prevailing tension among members of the parliament (MP), upazila nirbahi officers (UNO), and elected representatives of local governments over their jurisdictions has been hampering normal functioning of local administrations as well as development activities.

Mindless destruction of natural water bodies in and around Dhaka coupled with flagrant disregard for urban planning of successive governments have brought the capital to its knees, said noted urban experts.

The most vulnerable countries (MVCs) demanded the developed countries to reduce their emission by 45 percent in aggregate against 1990 levels by 2020 and make available fund of $150 billion a year to help protect the victims.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina underscored establishing a common power grid in South Asia to overcome electricity shortage that has emerged as one of the major impediments to rapid development in the region by utilising available prospects.

Iranian hardliners warned Mahmoud Ahmadinejad yesterday to obey the country's supreme leader, piling further pressure on the embattled president following his disputed re-election and a series of controversial political decisions.

Editorial

The prime minister's directives to deputy commissioners at the ongoing 3-day conference for DCs at the PMO struck the right note. It is indeed at the district level that good governance needs to be delivered, and when it comes to providing for the welfare of the common people the role of the DCs is more than crucial; it is indispensable.

The paracetamol syrup tragedy which caused no fewer than 25 child deaths has brought to the fore the issue of how well equipped the Drug Administration is to deal with spurious and substandard medicines posing a grave threat to public health.

WE revisit 1/11 this week once again and will do so for several more weeks. This has been, and will continue to be, a much talked about issue. However, not surprisingly, the matter continues to be projected in a very subjective matter.

AL completed its national council session through re-electing Sheikh Hasina as its party president and electing Syed Ashraful Islam as general secretary. While it was clear beforehand that Sheikh Hasina would be re-elected, Syed Ashraful Islam got the edge over Obaidul Quader because of his invaluable contribution to the party after 1/11 political changeover.

Sports

When West Indies put up 274 runs on the board not many in Bangladesh were convinced that the Tigers would be able to chase down the target. It was not just that it was something Bangladesh had not successfully chased before (their highest run-chase was 250 against Australia in Cardiff in 2005), but also the past records of the batters that often succumbed to self-destructed pressure, notwithstanding the strength of the opponents, that led to that belief.

Mashrafe Bin Mortaza was one of those who kept his nerve and patience to follow a match into the late hours of the night in support of his beloved cricket team. And it was a fitting reward when the Tigers managed their highest successful chase in the second one-day of the three-match series at Windsor Park in Dominica to script yet another history in the Caribbean.

Every time they step on the field, Bangladesh seem to be making history. After having beaten West Indies for the first time in Tests and ODIs, they sealed their first ODI series win against the hosts on Tuesday. More importantly, this win came by way of their highest successful chase in the limited-overs format, reaching the requisite 275 with six balls to spare.

Bangladesh celebrated their 200th ODI with their first ODI series win against West Indies, and Shakib Al Hasan, their stand-in captain, yet again played a major role in helping them achieve that feat. "I can't explain the feeling," Shakib, who was named Man of the Match for his crucial 65, said at the end of the game. "The boys have tried their best. The team has been supportive throughout the series, and so have the support staff, and we have done well."

West Indies fast bowler Kemar Roach and his team have been dealt misery on top of their one-day series loss to Bangladesh after being fined for breach of the International Cricket Council (ICC) code of conduct. Roach was docked 10 per cent of his match fee after he was charged for bowling two high, full-pitched deliveries at Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan in Tuesday's second one-dayer in Dominica, which the visitors won by three wickets.

Bangladesh National Kabaddi captain Ziaur Rahman returned home on Wednesday after the end of his treatment in Bangkok. Zia underwent a surgery on his right knee by specialist orthopaedic surgeon Mr. Sombat Rouavis at the Bangkok General Hospital. A further evaluation will be carried out after the nine-week period.

Business

The World Bank (WB) said yesterday Bangladesh is expected to receive remittance worth $10.87 billion in the current fiscal year if the global oil price does not fall and the local currency is not appreciated.

Microsoft Corp has finally roped Yahoo Inc into an internet search partnership, capping a convoluted pursuit that dragged on for years and finally setting the stage for the rivals to make an all-out assault against the dominance of Google Inc.

The world's biggest steel maker ArcelorMittal reported a second-quarter net loss of 792 million dollars (581 million euros) on Wednesday and forecast improvement, but the results drove down the shares.

German auto and truck maker Daimler AG said Wednesday it lost euro1.06 billion ($1.51 billion) in the second quarter as sinking sales from the recession and charges related to its stake in Chrysler hurt earnings. But the result was better than analyst predictions and company shares rose.

Metropolitan

President Zillur Rahman yesterday urged all divisional and deputy commissioners to sincerely discharge the duties entrusted to them by staying above all kinds of intimidation and temptation to ensure quick implementation of government policies in the country.

Speakers at a discussion yesterday said as the frequency and magnitude of natural disasters has been increasing rapidly in coastal belt due to climate change impacts, the government should take specific steps to protect some 3.48 crore people in the areas.

Ain O Salish Kendra (ASK), a human rights organisation, yesterday expressed concern over the reported government decision to try the persons who were directly involved in the Pilkhana massacre under the army act and to try others in the same case under the BDR act.

The government should create funds with remittances from Non-Resident Bangladeshis (NRBs) to implement large development projects such as Padma bridge, thereby reducing dependence on donors, speakers at a conference said yesterday.

Numerous cases of human rights violation committed by law enforcement agencies with impunity provided by the government is contrary to the laws of the country and should be brought to justice, said the speakers at the launch of the report on Indigenous People's Human Rights in Bangladesh 2007-08.

Four reporters of The Daily Star won the Best Article Award 2009, conferred by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU), for their outstanding reports on humanitarian issues.

A Dhaka court yesterday sent Mashfiqul Haq Joy, son of former BNP state minister for LGRD and cooperatives Ziaul Haq Zia, to jail in a tax evasion case in which he was earlier sentenced to eight years' imprisonment in absentia.

The pending writ petition challenging the government's 'inaction' on halting the Indian Tipaimukh Dam project has been withdrawn from the High Court (HC), as a parliamentary delegation left for India yesterday to visit the dam site.

Speakers at a reception accorded to the students, who passed SSC successfully, of Razarbagh Police Lines School and College encouraged the meritorious students to study technical and medical subjects to meet the needs of the country.

The Supreme Court (SC) yesterday stayed for six weeks the High Court (HC) orders granting bail to former BNP minister Shahjahan Siraj in two cases filed against him for illegally leasing out government lands in Gazipur.

Former deputy director (mechanical) of National Security Intelligence (NSI) Maj (retd) Liakat Hossain was sent to jail yesterday after completion of his four-day remand in connection with sensational Chittagong arms haul case.

One person beat his wife dead just because she failed to bring him a firebox. The incident took place at village Boro Kamar Kundo in Sadar upazila. Police and locals said, on Tuesday night Farid Uddin asked his wife Ripa for a firebox. But Ripa could not find it out at once. At this, Farid got furious and started beating his wife. At one stage Ripa fell unconscious but Farid did not care to take notice of it. Due to severe beating Ripa finally succumbed to injuries in the early hours of yesterday. On information police went to the spot and arrested Farid. A case was filed with Jhenidah Sadar police station.

A court yesterday sentenced one person to death and another to life in the Sima rape and murder case. Mohammad Milon, 36, to die while Hanif, 31, to suffer life term. Both hail from village Dabirpara in Daulatpur upazila. According to prosecution story, the two kidnapped Sima, 8, of the same village on January 25, 2006 when she was returning home from a local shop. They took the girl to a nearby bush, strangled her after rape and dumped the body there. Sima's father Paran Mondol filed a case with Sadar police station accusing the two of rape and murder.

Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) arrested a 'hundi' trader and recovered Tk 1, 50,000 from his possession yesterday at Bagdanga, a bordering village in Kalaroa upazila. Arrestee Emran Hossain, 20, is son of Akbar Ali of village Bhadiali. BDR sources said, acting on a tip-off BDR men intercepted Emran at Bagdanga while he was coming from bordering area on a bicycle. On recovery of money they handed him over to Kalaroa police. BDR and police said the arrestee has been involved in hundi trading for long.

A court yesterday awarded death penalty to a man for killing wife for dowry. Convict Firoz Mahmud is son of Abdur Razzak Sheikh of village Sharshuna in Shalikha upazila. Judge of Women and Children Repression Prevention Court Mohammad Nazir Ahmed, however, acquitted eight others of the charges. According to the prosecution story, Firoz beat his wife Monira Khatun dead for dowry in February, 2006. The following day brother of the deceased Kazi Azizur Rahman filed a case accusing nine people.

A student of Rajshahi University (RU) was critically injured as he fell from the roof of four-storied Rabindra Arts Bhaban on Tuesday. Mahmudul Islam Shawon, a first year student of management department is now undergoing treatment at Rajshahi Medical College and Hospital (RMCH). Sources said, Shawon and his friends were gossiping on the roof. Contacted, proctor Prof Zakaria said the incident is under investigation. Prof ANM Jahangir Kabir, chairman of management department told newsmen that the authorities are trying to find the reason behind Shawon's fall from roof.

A dumb girl was raped at a business centre at Dangar Haat under Dimla upazila allegedly by a studio owner. Sources said the 16-year-old girl, daughter of Zabed Ali of Bala Para village, recently went to GK Digital Photo Studio to take delivery of her photographs. Hearing the screaming of the girl, locals rushed to the spot and rescued the girl. But the young owner of the studio fled away. Some influential people were trying to stop the girl's father from filing case. But finally Zabed filed a case with Dimla Police Station on Monday and police arrested the alleged rapist.

Friction between Arabs and Kurds in northern Iraq is the greatest threat to security in Iraq, American military commanders said, overtaking the old Sunni-Shiite divide that threatened to push Iraq into civil war three years ago.

A powerful car bomb exploded early yesterday outside a barracks housing police officers and their families in this northern Spanish city, slightly injuring 46 people and causing major damage in the area. The attack was blamed on Basque separatist group ETA.

A day after democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi murmured in court that the verdict in her trial was already "painfully obvious," Myanmar's state-run media warned yesterday that any predictions of the outcome would amount to contempt of court.

The military has delayed a full-scale ground operation in South Waziristan Agency against Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan chief Baitullah Mehsud as the two sides have covertly reached an understanding, the Telegraph claimed on Tuesday.

Arts & Entertainment

Mahakal Natya Sampraday staged its latest production "Ahom Tamoshay" on the sixth day (July 28) of its ongoing theatre festival. The festival marks Mahakal's 26th anniversary. The play was staged at the National Theatre Hall, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy.

The “Bangladesh Documentary Festival,” a special screening of this year's award winning films, was held at the auditorium, Alliance Francaise of Dhaka (AFD), Dhanmondi on July 27. The Bangladesh Documentary Council, in association with AFD, was the organiser of the event.

KMA Quayyum is a romantic and naturist painter. His works bring to life greenery, flora and other wonders of nature. He is known for his subtle, alluring works. Quayyum had his breakthrough in the '70s.

Rabirashmi, a cultural organisation, held its regular programme “Gaaney Gaaney Rabindranath” at Sufia Kamal Auditorium, National Museum on July 28. This instalment of the programme was titled “Badol Meghey Madol Bajey,” highlighting monsoon songs of Tagore.

Premiere of the tele-film "Prem Prem Khela," featuring the late media icon Abdullah Al Mamun, was held recently at the Studio Theatre, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy. The tele-film is the debut production of Meghmala Multimedia, says a press release, and was presented by E.motion.

Renowned adhunik artiste Fahmida Nabi will be performing in Cardiff next week. In her 10-day visit to the United Kingdom, Fahmida plans to merge her vacation plans with work, and perform for the Bangladeshi expats in Cardiff.

OP-ED

THE nation rang with congratulations for several days. The national cricket team, the Tigers, had beaten the West Indies. Never mind that the team fielded by the opposition was perhaps the weakest in the great cricketing side's history. That can hardly be Bangladesh's fault. Bangladesh won fair and square.

THE news about the large-scale appointment in the services of the Republic has generated great interest among a lot of people, specially unemployed and underemployed youth, throughout the country. How to get employment in government service and what possible sources could be explored to promote a candidate for recruitment is the talk of the town.

MOST discussions in Pakistan turn toward the history of Pakistan where military rule occupies 40 years whereas nominally democratic governments lasted for just 20 years or so. The conundrum is; why is it that Pakistan is so prone to military dictatorships while India set up democracy in 1947 and is still being governed by it, except for the blip of an Emergency. Nor did the Indians scurry around in search of an ideal and workable constitution.

The barrages built on the creeks running down the hills have raised hope of farmers in Khagrachhari, bringing over 500 acres of fallow land under cultivation to produce additional 2500 metric tons of food grains annually.